Doctrines of Jainism

Author(s): Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

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The Doctrines of the Jainas
through the accumulated stock. The process of this consummation is called Nirjara. Jain literature prescribes various penances and other practices for it, namely, 12 types of penances (tapas), 12 contemplations (bhavanas), four meditations (dhyanas), the vows of a monk and of a householder, and others. Kundakunda, Jinabhadra, Pujyapada, Haribhadra, Shubha Chandra, Hema Chandra, Yashovijaya and other scholars have written systematic treatises on the subject.
The above is a short account of the process of selfrealization as prescribed by Jainism. It is useful not only for salvation but also for a man who wishes to live a happy life by rising above the inner conflicts and complexes. It is regretable that the supreme science of leading a happy life has been wrongly confined to transcendental purposes, on the assumption that its benefits are not connected with the present life. That is a wrong notion. A man, however materially rich he may be, will sooner or later have to learn this science if he seeks real happiness and wants to save himself from destruction. The fear of atomic weapons can be cast off only if a man learns to live amicably and peacefully. We hope that the United Nations and the individuals guiding the destinies of mankind will make the teaching of self-discipline an essential part of the study prescribed for the builders of the new world.